Minibus to motorhome

Craigderby

Craigderby

Free Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2016
Posts
153
Likes collected
505
Location
Derby, UK
Funster No
45,883
MH
Iveco Daily
Exp
Since 2001
Over the next few months I hope to share with you the details as I transform a 2004 ExVariety Club 17 seater minibus into a motorhome. The base vehicle is 2004 Iveco Daily 40C13 fitted with a 2.8 engine, having covered 84,000 miles.
It's being delivered at some point this week, so I hope to make a start at the weekend.

s-l1600.jpg
 
Will watch this... good luck👍🏼

I assume that’s a step sticking out on the bottom there by the door? It’s a shin scrapper if ever I saw one...😆
 
Just smiffy said:
Will watch this... good luck👍🏼

I assume that’s a step sticking out on the bottom there by the door? It’s a shin scrapper if ever I saw one...😆
Click to expand...
Yes it's a step. There's no sliding door, so that's the way in. Not as handy as a sliding door, but gives more room to use.
 
Someone in my village has been doing a camper conversion on a van that looks exactly like yours. Did have to look twice at your pics.

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We used Iveco trucks and vans as breakdown and recovery vehicles. They were a tough chassis if the ride was a bit firm. They had plenty of low down power.
I often wondered why the Iveco has not been used much for motorhome builds. The older ones were quite industrial but times have changed making them reasonable to live with full time.
Enjoy the build. I await the follow on photos.
 
Are you keeping it at 4t or down plating to 3.5t.

What's the interior length approx 4m?

What layout do you intend on transverse or longitudinal bed?

Bathroom?

Full kitchen?

Crew seats? Ford transit custom are good as they fold flat.

Or Mazda bingo if wanting a second bed?

Cheers James

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Jamesh said:
Are you keeping it at 4t or down plating to 3.5t.

What's the interior length approx 4m?

What layout do you intend on transverse or longitudinal bed?

Bathroom?

Full kitchen?

Crew seats? Ford transit custom are good as they fold flat.

Or Mazda bingo if wanting a second bed?

Cheers James
Click to expand...
I'm going to leave the weight. I'm old enough that I don't need to worry about the licence implications!

I think it's 4.6 inside from internet sources, so a decent space.

Layout is being finalised at the moment, but will retain 2 of the existing seats for the wife and daughter. It will possibly be a single bed across the back with storage space underneath, then the bathroom in front of it. Kitchen area in the middle, with seating at the front which will make a double bed.
 
Good luck it looks just the right size , will you use interiors from wrecked vans , cos if youdo theres co part uk that have some salvage vans ,where the interior is ok but the body work is bad (i look at their site daily )
 
Son did exactly the same with a wheelchair friendly Iveco that had a tail lift, Think he sold the seats and tail lift for almost as much as he paid for the van! With a few graphics added and some professional looking carpentry inside it is now worth about twice what he paid for it and has been to France at least three times for holidays. Good luck with the build, if I was younger I would be doing the same thing.
 
I'd get some galvanising paint on those rust patches.

Also a caravan would be ideal for the interior a 6 berth double axle would be great. You will get £250 back from the chassis. I gave my caravan shell away to a key worker for a isolation pod.

Unless your aiming for a bespoke new build or a woodie build.

Cheers James
 
The bodywork is top of the list of jobs, it'll be getting a repaint in battleship grey.
A donor caravan is certainly an option, but there's certain bits I want different. Such as a compressor fridge, and the heating and hot water will be from a diesel heater, which would leave more bits to sell off.
 
Good choice on the compressor fridge my 12v fridge is rubbish. Won't cool down at all well.

Usually put a 2l frozen milk bottle in it before we travel.

Good idea with the diesel heater might thing about that for next winter.

Just waiting to get my engine replacement done!

Cheers James

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If you decide on a diesel heater have a look at the bobil water heater, that's how I'm planning on doing mine.
 
Craigderby said:
If you decide on a diesel heater have a look at the bobil water heater, that's how I'm planning on doing mine.
Click to expand...
Yes thats what im planning also ...i only need enough hot water for a shower daily and even then if its warm and im near a beach i shower outside
 
Craigderby said:
Got a man coming tomorrow. £50 for the lot. I'll just be glad to get rid of them
Click to expand...
Thats not too bad ...as ive heard they are a nightmare to get rid of ...although i might weigh mine in for scrap
 
I put them on Facebook Market place and I've got 3 people who want them. Starting to think I should of asked for more.
 
Another way to heat your water is to use the load dump from your solar panels to power a low voltage electric element when your leisure batteries have charged.
I'm in the middle of setting this up in our MH at the minute.

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